Ride to Derwin Garden Centre

Well it’s the hottest day of the year and the England V Germany game in the World Cup – who’s for a bike ride?

I didn’t think that I would get many takers but 7 other intrepid cyclists joined me for a ride to Derwin Garden Centre, Welshpool. We went to Wattlesborugh Heath for breakfast and then made a slow ascent over the Bulthy and a fast descent down the other side! We then had a small bit of main road and turned at Rhos to meander through the lane to join in with the Welshpool to Oswestry road. Turning left to Ardleen, we passed the school getting ready for a sponsored walk and BBQ later that day. Climbing out of Ardleen, we cut right to follow along the ridge looking into the Welsh Mountains on our right and Long Mountain and Criggion on our left. The day got steadily warmer and the sun shone down. We had a fast descent down to Guilsfield and onto Derwin were we had a slap-up lunch. Nothing was left for the robin – well maybe only a few crumbs!!

Fully refreshed we followed the road back to Ardleen and found the school BBQ in full swing. We turned right for Sarn, left at the end and up and over Byrn Mawr; by now, the heat of the day was upon us and we all found the climb hard work, some more than others. We crossed by the aqueduct and entered Llanymynech at the main cross roads, going straight over and headed for Maesbury. We did consider a tea and cake stop but decided to call in at a pub on the way home! Well the temperature was 28.2C in the shade!

I arrived home with 58. 4 miles on the computer; those living in Shrewsbury town centre or on the other side had 60+. Home by 16:30 just in time to watch England come crashing out of the World Cup. No tennis to consol myself with as Wimbledon had a rest day, but at least we had a good ride! Thankyou to all who came to keep me company.